Northeast Nebraska Telephone Company Upgrades Legacy FTTH Network with DZS Next Generation Active Ethernet and 10G PON Solutions

Rhea-AI Summary

DZS (Nasdaq: DZSI) continues to enhance its partnership with Northeast Nebraska Telephone Company (NNTC) by upgrading NNTC's fiber-to-the-home network. The new DZS Velocity portfolio will enable gigabit services and future-proof the infrastructure for potential 10G upgrades. NNTC serves 30 communities and was recently recognized for its advanced broadband network. DZS's solutions improve efficiency, reliability, and cost-effectiveness, supporting both Active Ethernet and GPON technologies.

Positive

• NNTC selected DZS after a successful trial, indicating strong confidence in DZS solutions.
• NNTC's network upgrade will provide gigabit services to its subscribers, enhancing customer satisfaction.
• The upgraded network is recognized as a Smart Rural Community, showcasing its community impact.
• DZS's hardware and software are noted for their reliability and cost-effectiveness, beneficial for NNTC.

Negative

• NNTC's legacy equipment was unable to support rising demand for gigabit services, indicating previous operational limitations.
• Increasing software licensing costs contributed to the decision to switch vendors, highlighting financial pressures.

Award-winning rural service provider pioneers usage-based data service model with industry-leading flexibility of DZS Velocity platform and 10G pathway for subscribers

DALLAS, April 26, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DZS (Nasdaq: DZSI), a global leader in access networking and cloud software solutions, today announced its ongoing partnership with Northeast Nebraska Telephone Company (NNTC) to upgrade its entire first-generation, fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) triple play network with a world-class, next generation gigabit services network featuring both Active Ethernet (AE) and GPON technologies. The DZS Velocity portfolio of Broadband Connectivity systems was selected to deliver both Active Ethernet and GPON technologies and prepare NNTC’s network, which serves 30 communities across 24 counties in rural northeast Nebraska, for a hyper-connected, multi-gigabit future.

“As equipment within our existing 100% fiber network was reaching end-of-life, we conducted a lab trial to choose a new vendor, and DZS was the obvious choice for us,” said Pat McElroy, General Manager/CEO at NNTC. “DZS provided a clear upgrade path to voice, video and data services and an ultra-fast, future-ready systems and software platform that supports our usage-based service model. DZS has also worked closely and effectively with our operational and business staff and with our integration partner, Goldfield Telecom, to ensure a successful cutover to the new service. We are extremely pleased with the reliability, manageability and cost-effectiveness of the DZS hardware and software to date.”

An early adopter of AE technology, NNTC has enjoyed the simplicity and efficiency of operating an all-ethernet, point-to-point fiber network. However, with broadband speed demand rising, their legacy FTTH equipment and first-generation optical network terminals (ONTs) were unable to support gigabit data rates. Lacking a clear path to 10 gigabit services and burdened with rising software licensing costs, NNTC knew it was time for a change. DZS was selected after a successful trial period shortly thereafter, and now the company is over a third of the way into its systems replacement with DZS. NNTC subscribers on this new DZS network are now receiving business and residential services at data rates up to a gigabit per second, with the peace-of-mind that they can seamlessly update their DZS Velocity solutions to 10 gigabit services, whether 10G AE or XGS-PON, when they are ready. Recently, NNTC’s upgraded network was Gig-Certified by the Rural Broadband Association (NTCA) and recognized as a Smart Rural Community^SM.

NNTC is utilizing DZS Velocity Broadband Connectivity systems, which includes:

• The DZS Velocity V2 compact remote platform: A pay-as-you-grow, environmentally hardened, high-capacity system built for a hyper-speed and disaggregated future that can support dedicated AE, GPON, 10G AE and XGS-PON services, as well as “combo” services on any port.
• The DZS Velocity V1 GPON OLT system: A compact, environmentally hardened, easy-to-deploy fixed form factor system featuring 8 ports supporting both GPON and XGS-PON services.

“DZS is proud to support innovative service and broadband experience providers like NNTC take the capabilities of their FTTH network to a whole new level and bring game-changing gigabit services and usage-based billing to all of its subscribers,” said Andrew Finkelstein, Senior Vice President, North America Sales at DZS. “NNTC has shown itself to be a long-time innovator in the FTTH space, and a model for other service providers, and we congratulate them on their recent Smart Rural Community award. The fact that they chose to build the future of their broadband network on DZS is a testament to the reliability, interoperability and extensibility of our solutions, as well as the expertise and responsiveness of our service team and integration partner Goldfield Telecom.”

With a worldwide reputation for offering a diverse range of dependable, manageable, innovative and cost-effective standards-based solutions to meet the deployment and operational requirements of the emerging hyper-connected world, DZS looks forward to supporting more fiber network upgrades and expansions as rural operators bring transformational broadband services and connectivity to their communities.

To learn more about DZS, visit https://www.dzsi.com

About DZS

DZS Inc. (NSDQ: DZSI) is a global leader in broadband connectivity and communications software solutions.

DZS, the DZS logo, and all DZS product names are trademarks of DZS Inc. Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective holders. Specifications, products, and/or product names are all subject to change.

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding future events and our future results that are subject to the safe harbors created under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements reflect the beliefs and assumptions of the Company’s management as of the date hereof. Words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “goal,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would,” variations of such words, and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are only predictions and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. The Company’s actual results could differ materially and adversely from those expressed in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include, but are not limited to, those risk factors contained in the Company’s SEC filings available at www.sec.gov, including without limitation, the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and subsequent filings. In addition, additional or unforeseen affects from the COVID-19 pandemic and the global economic climate may give rise to or amplify many of these risks. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. DZS undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements for any reason.

For further information see: www.DZSi.com.
DZS on Twitter: https://twitter.com/dzs_innovation
DZS on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/DZSi/

About NNTC

Northeast Nebraska Telephone Company is a telephone, internet and television service provider headquartered in Jackson, NE. NNTC serves 30 communities throughout 24 counties in northeast Nebraska. Founded in 1955, NNTC is one of Nebraska’s first telephone cooperatives providing fiber service to 100% of its customers. 

FAQ

What recent partnership has DZS formed?

DZS has partnered with Northeast Nebraska Telephone Company (NNTC) to upgrade its broadband network.

What services will NNTC's upgraded network provide?

The upgraded network will provide gigabit services and is prepared for future 10G upgrades.

How many communities does NNTC serve?

NNTC serves 30 communities across 24 counties in northeast Nebraska.

What technologies are included in the DZS Velocity portfolio?

The DZS Velocity portfolio includes Active Ethernet and GPON technologies.

What recognition did NNTC's network receive?

NNTC's upgraded network was Gig-Certified by the Rural Broadband Association and recognized as a Smart Rural Community.